MPDM praises Rushwaya for mining equipment donations
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President yesterday donated a compressor to the Manicaland People with Disability in Mining (MPDM) Association at a handover ceremony held in Harare.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The MPDM Association praised Rushwaya for the donation and thanked her for considering their impact on the growth and development of the mining sector.
The Association received a compressor and accessories from the ZMF President as she moves towards considering special interest groups in mining like women, war veterans and the disabled.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held in Harare on Wednesday Ms. Rushwaya said the MPDM benefited from equipment donations in an effort to see small-scale miners taking the centre stage in achieving President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision to see the mining sector fetching US$12 billion annually by 2023.
“As we had promised we give you this compressor as a gift to recognise your role in the attainment of the President’s vision for the mining industry to achieve US$12 Billion by 2023. We thank you for coming and receiving this “gift” Rushwaya said.
Rushwaya has been on a national tour and has so far donated compressors and accessories to various mining trusts in an effort to capacitate the small-scale and artisanal miners.
She has been on a massive drive to formalise and regularise the small-scale and artisanal mining sector so that the country’s President’s vision is achieved in part through the participation of ASM.
The government is on record saying the ASM sector is a critical player in the country’s economic development as some mineral deposits are more viable for mining to small-scale mining operations. The small-scale mining sector at the moment is the country’s largest contributor to the country’s gold deliveries to the country’s sole gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Printers and Refiners.
Speaking at the same event MPDM chairperson and founder Mr. James Mtisi praised Rushwaya and the ZMF CEO Mr. Wellington Takavarasha for considering their input in achieving President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s vision for the mining sector to achieve a revenue of US$12 Billion annually by 2023.
“We thank the ZMF President Madam Henrietta Rushwaya and the CEO for this kind gesture. With the equipment, we are going to offer more to the economy. We would want to employ many people at the same time assisting our fellow disabled.”
“Our wish has to make an impact in the economy so that we won’t be dependent on anyone. We want to help in achieving the US$12 billion roadmap,” Mtisi said.
Due to the demands and dangers of working underground, or in areas where water can pose a threat, compressed air has been an invaluable source of both energy and safety equipment for the hard-to-reach places where minerals and fossil fuels reside. Donations of compressed air systems by Rushwaya and her team will provide value to miners as they will now use more efficient methods for resource extraction.
Common Mining Applications for Compressed Air (Compressors)
Mining applications where compressed air is especially useful include:
Pneumatic Tools – Compressed air is an excellent source of energy for power tools such as drills, wrenches, hack saws and other vital mining equipment that needs to be used in the deep underground stretches of the mines.
Blasting – Compressed air systems offer safer mediums for use in blasting operations. High velocity compressed air streams can be vital in some mining situations.
Material handling – Materials like coal dust can be better handled when compressed air is mixed, allowing for fluidization. In addition, compressed air can be used in conveying material in mining as well.
Cleaning – Compressed air can also be used for purging unwanted particles from filters and other spaces amid the dirt and dust of the mining operation. It is a clean source of air and can be used effectively without the need for additional cleaning materials. This can help extend the longevity of critical mining equipment and reduce any downtime needed for maintenance.
Ventilation Systems – Compressed air has a long history of providing ventilation to increasingly deep mine tunnels. It is a safe and breathable source of air that can be used in hazardous mining environments. In addition, displacement blowers can also utilize compressed air systems for ventilation. In coal mining for example, displacement blowers are used to provide the needed air ventilation to mining sites.
Methane Gas Extraction – Methane gas buildup in a mine can be lethal. The risk for a static electric spark igniting methane as well as actually breathing the gas are both dangers for miners. Compressed air systems properly fitted and designed for use in dangerous environments can help extract the gas through the use of blowers and vacuum pumps for coal mining operations.